Bodog Beat

If the Chicago White Sox are going to be a factor in the AL Central race, they’ll likely need to continue their home success against the first-place Detroit Tigers. (Wikimedia Images)

A key five-game series at U.S. Cellular Field certainly provides that opportunity.

Ozzie Guillen hopes his team can solve its offensive issues and get this series off to a strong start this afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Chicago (-125 favorites) is third in the Central, 4 1/2 games behind Detroit and one back of Minnesota.

Clayton Richard makes his first start against Detroit. The lefthander gave up five runs and seven hits, including three homers, in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-3 loss to Oakland on Wednesday.

Detroit, which is coming off Sunday’s 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels, will give the ball to Armando Galarraga as he tries to win for the first time in eight starts.

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